Neighborhood shows its stars and stripes

Residents in Huntington Ridge were surprised to see that neighbor Bernadine Reams had taken it upon herself to decorate the neighborhood for Independence Day.

JENNIFER HARWOOD | The News Herald

By JENNIFER HARWOOD | The News Herald

Published: Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 07:00 PM.

LYNN HAVEN — A simple gesture by Bernadine Reams has made the spirit of patriotism contagious in her Huntington Ridge neighborhood.

Neighbors took notice three weeks ago when little American flags appeared by their mailboxes, adding to the quaint look of the neighborhood that is home to retirees and veterans from every branch of military service. Reams set a trend by lining two streets with about 40 American flags.

“I put them out, and some of the other neighbors put more flags out to go with them,” Reams said.

Reams also filled planters at the neighborhood’s entrance with flowers and more flags. The deed was quite an undertaking for the disabled veteran, who served 23 years in the Air Force and in the Gulf War. Reams survived a severe bout of sepsis in fall 2011, leaving her with extensive permanent disabilities. It is now Reams’ mission to educate others about blood poisoning.

Reams has not allowed her plight to rob her of a positive outlook or an ability to share an act of pride with her curious neighbors.

“To me, the Fourth of July is about freedom and our independence,” said neighbor and Navy contractor Andrea Smith.

Smith and her husband,
Chad
, will be thinking about service members in
Afghanistan
and other war zones abroad this year as Independence Day festivities commence.

LYNN HAVEN — A simple gesture by Bernadine Reams has made the spirit of patriotism contagious in her Huntington Ridge neighborhood.

Neighbors took notice three weeks ago when little American flags appeared by their mailboxes, adding to the quaint look of the neighborhood that is home to retirees and veterans from every branch of military service. Reams set a trend by lining two streets with about 40 American flags.

“I put them out, and some of the other neighbors put more flags out to go with them,” Reams said.

Reams also filled planters at the neighborhood’s entrance with flowers and more flags. The deed was quite an undertaking for the disabled veteran, who served 23 years in the Air Force and in the Gulf War. Reams survived a severe bout of sepsis in fall 2011, leaving her with extensive permanent disabilities. It is now Reams’ mission to educate others about blood poisoning.

Reams has not allowed her plight to rob her of a positive outlook or an ability to share an act of pride with her curious neighbors.

“To me, the Fourth of July is about freedom and our independence,” said neighbor and Navy contractor Andrea Smith.

Smith and her husband, Chad, will be thinking about service members in Afghanistan and other war zones abroad this year as Independence Day festivities commence.

She said her husband lost a few friends from his old squadron to a plane crash overseas last year, giving them even more reason to reflect on the sacrifices our military made to ensure our freedom.